Saga of the Amazing Human Man! » Music

Hands in the air!

Shawn — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:50:16 +0000

Glass Garden

By: Sonorous

Blast from the past! One from my E honeymoon.

This tune still gives me chills, makes me smile

Prepare to be Impressed by the Incredible Live Sounds of Dub FX

Shawn — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:48:15 +0000

I can’t stop watching/listening to this. His name is Dub FX . I’m beyond impressed with this guy. Near studio production quality tunes done live with an effects rack and some raw talent. That’s powerful stuff.

According to Last.fm:

Dub Fx the street-loop-beatboxer grew up in St Kilda / Melbourne / Australia performing in various bands before hitting the world-wide road. Dub Fx uses Roland BOSS effect & loop pedals to create sounds which when layered creates a live musical construct. Predominantly Dub Fx can be found busking through Europe with his Girlfriend the ‘Flower Fairy’ who also performs along side.

Let’s all bug him to come to the States!

Here’s another great song that will give you a better idea of how he builds and performs them live.

Please go buy his album if you like this. It is excellent!

When It Hits You Feel No Pain Pt. III

Shawn — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:42:16 +0000

Just sharing another song that gets under my skin. Feeling like you’re standing still for so long, only to be “catapulted” into motion but not quite sure where you’ll land is something I can relate to.

From the top of the first page
To the end of the last day
From the start in your own way
You just want somebody listening to what you say
It doesn’t matter who you are.

That line gets me every time. Powerful, moving. When asked what it is that I would hope to find in another, I think the onion eventually gets peeled down to (among a few important others) “someone who cares/listens/is on my side”. It’s what I seek at its basest, simplest form. It’s that kind of loving acceptance that moves life meaningfully forward.

I’m tired of knowing that this is what I hope to achieve but never reaching for it. I have left square one.

Square One

By: Coldplay

You’re in control is there anywhere you wanna go?
You’re in control is there anything you wanna know?
The future’s for discovering
The space in which we’re traveling

From the top of the first page
To the end of the last day
From the start in your own way
You just want somebody listening to what you say
It doesn’t matter who you are.

Under the surface trying to break through
Deciphering the codes in you
I need a compass,draw me a map
I’m on the top I can’t get back
Whoah. Woah.

First line of the first page
To the end of the last place
You were looking
From the start in your own way
You just want somebody listening to what you say
It doesn’t matter who you are
It doesn’t matter who you are

Oooh.

You just want somebody listening to what you say
You just want somebody listening to what you say
It doesn’t matter who you are
It doesn’t matter who you are

Is there anybody out there who is lost and hurt and lonely too
Are they bleeding all your colours into one
And if you come undone as if you’d been run through
Some catapult that fired you
You wonder if your chance will ever come
Or if you’re stuck in square one.

Feed Your Ears: Electrothrashmix by Vik44

Shawn — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:27:50 +0000

I’d like you all to know (or know a little more) about a local Portland ME electronic dance producer named Abe Grivois that happens to be a close personal friend of mine. Under his Vik44 moniker Abe creates music that embodies a mind in motion and constant transition/evolution. He is a creative excavator of sound, the mad scientist of Portland’s Milled Pavement Records imprint. It’s been a thrill for me to watch & listen to Abe’s unique brand of EDM grow and evolve over the past 8 or so years. After listening to this debut Vik44 mix effort, I am excited (but not surprised) that my lofty expectations continue to be surpassed.

Electrothrash by vik44

1-Si Begg _Come_Correct_Original_Mix
2-LELE -Breakfast (Mercury Remix)
3-Bodyrox,Luciana -What_Planet_You_On_Deadmau5_Mix
4-Pryda -Europa_Original_Mix
5-Adam Freeland -Hate_Original_Mix
6-FukkOfff -I_m_A_Freak_Original_Mix
7-Alex Gopher – Aurora (Shinichi Osawa Remix)
8-far to loud -You_Know_The_Sound_feat__Subsource_Original_Mix
9-Deadmau5 – Ghosts N Stuff (Dirty Disco Youth Remix)
10-Hadouken! – Crank It Up (Noisia Remix)

Released by: milledpavement / Brick City Media

Vik44 is an INTP with ADD. Having a hard time staying with one sound, Vik44 moves from genre to genre. From minimal techno, glitched breaks to trip-hop he feels at home. Music is the only thing that slows his racing mind. For Vik44 music is an addiction, a lifestyle. He feels most comfortable alone in a pair of headphones. Removed from the real world to create his own.

In college Vik44 played guitar in the metal band Inventing Zero. During this time Vik44 spent more time putting drum machines through stomp boxes then he did guitars. Around the same time he was introduced to the world of mod trackers. After Inventing Zero’s breakup Vik44 dove into his electronic music. While going to school for art, Vik44 would apply the philosophies and ideas he learned in classes to create music with texture, contrast, emotions, and substance.

While not afraid of writing laid back tracks, Vik44 live is all about energy and performance. Live he favors playing more danceable energetic techno and breaks. Often teaming up with longtime friend, and fellow Milled Pavement artist Metris to create intense live sets that have been compared to the Crystal Method.

Discography

2009 – Vik44- Was Never White (Milled Pavement)
2008 – VA- Goose Bumps 2.0 (Milled Pavement)
2007 – Project Dark- The Director’s Cut (Milled Pavement)
2007 – VA- beats.on.the.rocks Vol.2 (brick.city.media)

http://www.milledpavement.com/
http://www.milledpavement.com/vik44.html
http://www.myspace.com/vik44
http://soundcloud.com/vik44

When It Hits You Feel No Pain Pt. II

Shawn — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:45:17 +0000

The title of this post refers to my earlier post of same name, where a song caught me off guard surprising me with an emotional response. In this case it wasn’t the lingering sting of a long lost relationship, but the bittersweet memories of past struggles and ultimately a sense of achievement in getting past them. This is such a beautiful song. It’s sung and recorded in such an honest and simple way with words that cut straight to me. I remember the days, months, all that time, waiting for something positive to happen in my life rather than going out and making it happen. I’m not that person anymore. I finally feel as if mine has begun. I wonder what’s ahead?

WAITING FOR MY REAL LIFE TO BEGIN

Album : “Going Somewhere”
(written by: Colin Hay / Thom Mooney)
Colin Hay

Any minute now, my ship is coming in
I’ll keep checking the horizon
I’ll stand on the bow, feel the waves come crashing
Come crashing down down down, on me

And you say, be still my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in
But don’t you understand
I already have a plan
I’m waiting for my real life to begin

When I awoke today, suddenly nothing happened
But in my dreams, I slew the dragon
And down this beaten path, and up this cobbled lane
I’m walking in my old footsteps, once again

And you say, just be here now
Forget about the past, your mask is wearing thin
Let me throw one more dice
I know that I can win
I’m waiting for my real life to begin

Any minute now, my ship is coming in
I’ll keep checking the horizon
And I’ll check my machine, there’s sure to be that call
It’s gonna happen soon, soon, soon
It’s just that times are lean

And you say, be still my love
Open up your heart, let the light shine in
Don’t you understand
I already have a plan
I’m waiting for my real life to begin

On a clear day
I can see a very very long way

Rainy Day Tunes

Shawn — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:45:49 +0000

So, it’s been as cold as the proverbial witch’s tit for the past few days and today it’s actually warm enough to make me want to go outside but rainy enough to keep me from it. Maine. *sigh* Winter with its dark hours and gray days has been influencing my listening habits already.

For those who care, the Wintermix09 seasonal comp will be complete by New Years so check in and download if you like. I just wanted to show some love here for some stuff that may not show up on the comp that has been keeping my neurons all warm and tingly through the early winter bluster.

Click above to go to the official site

Thank you Sasha. You never dissappoint. I am so in love with this mix right now. Deep, melodic, varying beat formats, moody and just plain sexy sexy, I am giddy with this new addition to the catalog.

Click to learn more about Popgirl 23

Portland’s little secret, Jen “Popgirl 23″ Barnes is the wellspring from which the ripest tunes in our humble port town flows. She is one of the area’s most well-known and respected house dj’s. She should be, she’s only been at it for 12+ years now. This past year or 2 has seen Jen laying relatively low, but she has continued to put together spotless mixes that range from thoughtful and introspective to out & out stompers. She was awarded Best House Dj at this year’s 2008 We Push Buttons Awards. If you don’t already know what’s up, click above and get with it.

Come out and see for yourself on December 27th @ White Heart!

11.9.08 – Nine Inch Nails @ Worcester MA

Shawn — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:59:13 +0000

Waiting for the encore

Well, he did it. Trent topped my lofty expectations once again. And that’s saying a lot since I’ve been waiting for this tour since Year Zero came out 2 years ago. With Teeth was not my favorite album he’s done and the 2 shows I caught during that tour (one at the beginning, one at the end) were good but didn’t compare to the Fragility tour in my eyes.

Maybe because it was the first time I was able to make it out to a Nails show, it just seemed so… perfect. The Fragile was/is my favorite album and the live performance floored me. The light show was intense and well executed and reflected the mood of the new material while pacing the rest of the night through the obligatory back catalog. The focal point was the three tall rectangular jumbo LCD panels that showed video segments, strobed, moved up and down and panned vertical to horizontal during various parts of the show. The Great Below always gives me the chills now. I don’t know how many times I watched the DVD when it came out to try and relive a little of that night.

Ghosts desert scene

Lights in the Sky was incredible. I had to stop and do a double-take every so often when the scenes changed on the LCD screen/curtains, especially during the Ghosts segments that essentially brought the accompanying images from each tune to life in several layers, placing the band within them. It was remarkable. I found myself distracted at times trying to figure out how in the hell they were actually doing it! Echoplex featured a drum machine tracker as the back drop, Freese walking out to lock in the beat like Vanna flipping letters. I giggled like a schoolgirl.

Abe, Ryan and I talked ad nauseum on the ride there about doing something combining some sort of art installation with live music Ryan had envisioned. We bickered and brainstormed about what that would look like, how we could accomplish it, whatever it was. On the ride back we were utterly silent about the topic. Having seen what I can only explain as the best possible outcome of that basic idea, we just shrugged and scratched our heads. “Yup, we’re all set I guess.” “There’s no approaching that.”

Only complaint: I wanted more Year Zero.

Fantastic.

Fallmix 08

Shawn — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:01:36 +0000

It's even iPod friendly!

Well folks, here it is. For those of you joining late here on my invisible blog, I make a compilation of tunes every season. I pick em and pack em together with no real glue, no mixing, no unifying genre, nothing too fancy. Just music I dig. Shit I’m listening to real heavy at the present moment, shit I rediscover for one reason or another, and shit that reminds me of seasons past.

I love summer. Spring is cool too. And well, let’s not talk about winter. But fall is my favorite time of year. It’s a curse that it is so short and that we all bitch a lot toward the end cause we know what’s coming.. I tend to get a little nostalgic right around now, so past mixes have seemed quiet or somber. I think this sticks to that trend but with a little more verve.

I hope you can easily download the mix from the Box.net widget on the right margin of this blog and unpack it using winrar or a similar program. I am looking into another easier way to share these for next year. But until then, please let me know if you have any questions and I will try to help you or even send you a hard copy. Track listing is as follows:

Fallmix 08

Santogold – L.E.S Artistes
Venetian Snares – Koonut-Kaliffee
RJD2 – Ghostwriter
Depeche Mode – Only When I Lose Myself
Mark Ronson – Ooh Wee
Orbital – Technologicque Park
Machines Of Loving Grace – Animal Mass
Noisia – Seven Stitches
Sneaker Pimps – 6 Underground
The Chemical Brothers – Keep My Composure
LCD Soundsystem – Tribulations
Stone Temple Pilots – Sin
Thievery Corporation – All That We Perceive
The Orb – Vuja De
A Perfect Circle – Blue
Zero 7 – In the Waiting Line
Boards Of Canada – Left Side Drive

Enjoy!

Looking back on Beltek 08

Shawn — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:11:45 +0000

Dance tents, Saturday afternoon

Ah, Beltek. Wow, what a big party this year! As per my previous blog from my iphone deliriously @ 3am, it was a blast but man was I tired.. I had been having a little trouble sleeping, laid down for like 3 hours before leaving for Belmont for a much needed disco nap and didn’t get a fuckin wink. Sucked it up and figured I’d just go unconscious from lack of sleep and be oblivious once 3 or 4 rolled around. I put my earplugs in, tossed down like 3 extra ativan (0.5) and still couldn’t sleep until well after the music stopped @ 6ish. Got a few hrs in and sucked it up once again for day 2.

Swimming spot

Soggy, tired, and sticky, I found some peeps (Jen & Leslie) who were down for a swim in nearby Lake St. Charles. Thanks to Matty T for the DL on that spot! It was a beautiful quiet place with 100% refreshed we returned for the afternoon and evening festivities not to mention noodles & chicken on a mufuckin STICK! With the threat of impending thunderstorms, I pulled up stakes and got ready to fly back home late. Ryan arrived late and wasn’t able to play this year which was a big bummer for me and a few others. He & I followed each other back at about 1am. I wish I could have seen Trixie’s set but I was (again) tooooo tired I got back @ 3:30ish and crawled into the womb.

Hula Hoop tent

Some highlights for me: Gestalt’s set (HOLY SHIT), of course my boy Vik44!, Joyride’s aforementioned psytrance set, Moshe’s grimy opium den downtempo set juxtaposed with the hazy midafternoon daylight was a treat, Jason & Matty’s set, though frought with Day2 PA problems, was bigger and badder even than last year, and I gotta say my ears are still ringing and eyes still wobbling after the first night’s D&B vs w/Strykn9ne and Illogik. Electro house sets by Seratto & Alchera tore it up as well!!

A blast as always. Thanks to Rick and the gang! I will be back.

Click below to listen:
Gestalt Live @ Beltek 2008
Jason Keith & Matty T Live @ Beltek 2008

2 outta 3 ain't bad

Shawn — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:44:29 +0000

Well, it seems my week of concert/party going came to an unexpected end and I’m forced yet again to wait for a make-up date to see Nine Inch Nails. Beltek was off the hook last weekend and Coldplay did not disappoint last Monday. The trifecta week has been shorted but hey it was fun.. if not a little too rainy. More on Beltek to follow…